WAMU-FM: The Diane Rehm Show: Friday News Roundup Podcast

World leaders condemn North Korea's nuclear test. The U.S. and European Union pursue a new trade pact. And Pope Benedict XVI announces his retirement. A panel of journalists joins Diane for analysis of the week's top international news stories.

President Barack Obama travels to promote the agenda for his second term. American Airlines and US Airways merge. And a Senate showdown begins over the nomination of Chuck Hagel as defense secretary. A panel of journalists joins Diane for analysis of the week's top domestic news stories.

Iran's supreme leader rejects direct talks with the U.S. Turmoil in Tunisia following the assassination of an opposition leader. And the remains of England's Richard III are found and identified. A panel of journalists joins Diane for analysis of the week's top international news stories.

The White House agrees to give Congress classified drone documents. The Justice Department sues Standard and Poor's. And the Post Office announces plans to end Saturday delivery. A panel of journalists joins Diane for analysis of the week's top national news stories.

Syria claims Israel bombs military targets near Damascus. Egypt declares emergency rule in three cities. And French forces take a key airport in Mali. A panel of journalists joins Diane for analysis of the week's top international news stories.

The U.S. economy shrinks slightly in the fourth quarter. A bipartisan group of senators and the White House propose immigration reform. And a Senate committee holds hearings on gun violence. A panel of journalists joins Diane for analysis of the week's top national news stories.

Conservatives lose ground in Israeli elections. The U.S. provides support to France in Mali. And Britain's prime minister promises an EU membership vote. A panel of journalists joins Diane for analysis of the week's top international news stories.

The Pentagon lifts the ban on combat roles for women. Secretary Clinton testifies before Congress on the Benghazi attack. And the House passes a short term debt ceiling extension. A panel of journalists joins Diane for analysis of the week's top domestic news stories.

The hostage crisis in Algeria. French forces clash with rebels in Mali. And Pakistan's Supreme Court orders the arrest of its prime minister. A panel of journalists joins guest host Susan Page for analysis of the week's top international news stories.

President Barack Obama lays out proposals to combat gun violence. The Federal Aviation Administration grounds Boeing's Dreamliner. And new home construction rises to its highest level in four years. A panel of journalists joins guest host Susan Page for analysis of the week's top national news stories.

Afghan President Karzai is in Washington for talks on the future U.S. role. Syria agrees to a major prisoner swap. And Venezuela postpones the inauguration of ailing President Chavez. A panel of journalists joins Diane for analysis of the week's top international news stories.

President Obama announces his choices for key second-term positions. Vice President Biden meets with gun control advocates and the NRA. And new mortgage rules target risky lending. A panel of journalists joins Diane for analysis of the week's top national news stories.

India's top law enforcement official vowed to crack down on crimes against women with "an iron hand" following the fatal gang rape of a young woman on a bus in New Dehli last month. Five alleged perpetrators face charges of murder. An American drone strike killed a top militant leader in Pakistan. U.S. troops under NATO command have arrived in Turkey to man a Patriot missile defense system near the Syrian border. The conflict in Syria is now said to have taken the lives of at least 60,000 people. The Pentagon considers how many U.S. troops should stay in Afghanistan after 2014. Please join us to talk about these and other top international news stories on the Friday News Roundup

The 113th Congress has been sworn in and it's the most diverse in history. It includes the first Hindu in the Senate, and the first openly bisexual woman in the House. Republican Congressman John Boehner is re-elected House Speaker despite some opposition in his own party. A deal is reached on the fiscal cliff but big battles still loom on the debt and government spending. The economy added 155,000 jobs in December. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says she'll return to work next week after being hospitalized for a blood clot. And Al Jazeera buys Current TV from Al Gore.David Corn of Mother Jones magazine, Jeanne Cummings of Bloomberg News and syndicated columnist Michael Gerson join guest host Tom Gjelten to discuss the week's top national stories.

An independent panel faults the U.S. State Department on Benghazi, Libya. Pakistani militants kill nine polio vaccine workers. And South Korea elects its first female president. A panel of journalists joins Diane for analysis of the week's top international news stories.